4-Day Tour Of The Danakil Depression From Mekele
Description
Famously known as "Hell on Earth," Africa's the Danakil Desert has baking temperatures, wastelands of salt, and a brutal landscape. But for the Afar people, this is a home, and you are invited to explore this unusual wonder of nature. Admire the stunning, eye-catching colours of the sulfur springs, visit the various landscapes formed by volcanic activity, and more in this 4-day tour to the hottest place on Earth!
Highlights
- Watch the dramatic action of the boiling lava
- Spend a night at the rim of the volcano
- Discover the various landscapes formed by the volcanic activity
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1: Mekele to Afdera (220km) expand_more
Danakil Depression is said to 'begin' here. It is one of the most inhospitable regions of the world but is nonetheless spectacular.
Drive to Afdera via the small village of Eribt. Afdera is one of the cities in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the saline Lake Afdera.
Enjoy swimming in the salt lake and the hot spring nearby.
Camp near the lake.
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Day 2: Afdera to Dodom (70 km) expand_more
Visit the Salt Miners (local people who pump the saltwater and evaporate it) near the lake.
Start the drive to Dodom (at the base of Erta Ale). Dodom is about 8.5 km from Erta Ale, and it takes about 3 hrs trekking.
Have an early dinner around 5:00 pm and trek up to Erta Ale at 8:00 pm. Camels transport all the camping materials (food, light mattresses, and water) to the rim of the volcano, where we will spend the night watching the dramatic boiling lava.
Erta Ale ranks as one of the most alluring and physically challenging natural attractions anywhere in Ethiopia. It is a shield volcano with a base diameter of 30 km and 1 km square caldera at its summit. Erta Ale contains the world’s only permanent Lava Lake.
Overnight on the top of the mountain.
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Day 3: Hamed Ela expand_more
Wake up early for sunrise and visit the north crater.
Descend from Erta Ale around 7:00 am; be back at the camp latest by 9:30 am.
After breakfast, time to relax.
At 10:30 am, drive to Hamad Ela - 100km; picnic lunch on the way in the shade of a palm tree.
Reach Hamad Ela at 4:30 pm, a better village with a total population of about 500 people.
Overnight camping at Hamed Ela.
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Day 4: Ragad (Acebo) expand_more
Drive to Ragad (Acebo), the place where locals mine salt.
About 1,200 sq. km (460 sq mi) of the Afar Depression is covered in salt. Watch the process of breaking the salt from the ground, cutting it into rectangular pieces, and loading it onto camels.
Drive ahead to Dallol and see the difference in the landscape formed by volcanic activity; also see Lake Assal, Salt canon, and camel caravans on the way.
Drive back to Hamed Ela and proceed to Mekele.
What's Included
Toyota latest 2014 model with an experienced driver
All entrance fees and licenses as per the program
Accommodation and all meals throughout the tour
Non-Alcoholic beverages with meals and water bottles (5 Ltrs per person per day for the trip)
Surface Transport expense with four-wheel drive; Land cruiser including fuel expense and drivers allowance
Local English-speaking guide for the Afar region
Scout and police service in Afar Region
Camel and Camel tires in Afar Region
Experienced cook
Government Taxes-VAT
What's Excluded
Alcohols
Beverages
Meeting Point
Mekele, Ethiopia
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
Adult | |
1 To 1 | USD 500 Per Person |
This is a group tour |